One of Washington D.C. area's most lavish luxury resorts is at the center of a wide-ranging immigration raid.

The Lansdowne Resort in Lansdowne is where federal agents carried out an illegal worker crackdown.

In handcuffs, workers were taken from the resort. They included people who worked to clean the hotel, prepare food and landscape the lush grounds. There were almost sixty people who are suspected of being in the United States illegally.

"It looked like they just did a minor pat down and it looked like each person had a plastic bag and they took that plastic bag from them. I presume it had whatever was in their pockets," said eyewitness Judith Boykin.

In unmarked vans, the men and women were taken off the resort property to be processed as those who work nearby watched in shock.

"This is our office building so we were a little surprised when we came to work this morning," said worker Elizabeth Ross.

According to federal sources, a routine investigation was launched at the resort several months ago. It was an inspection of the resort's employment forms, including alleged irregularities which led to Tuesday's raid.

"They are obviously hardworking people trying to support their families," said Boykin.

Those detained were taken to a Homeland Security site by bus. Depending on the outcome of each case, actual criminal charges may not be filed. Some of those arrested may be released, but everyone will be evaluated on their residency status.

"I'm not opposed to laws being enforced. I'm concerned about where their children are, happening here in Loudoun County (web|news)," said Ross.

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